"And though I enjoyed these walks, several characteristics of the island made them uncomfortable an even painful."

Conroy gives detail description as he walks around the island. He explains how he gets eat up my the bother-some mosquitoes that swarm and how he walks through the swamp to the beach. The beach depicts a history lesson as he tells about he terrible smells of the death and the decaying marine life. The escape to the beach is like a walk back into a time where Conroy once resided. The old house with the confederate flag symbolizes how people's attitude toward blacks once existed outside the waters of the island.Conroy tells about how the flag was dead, and that the old house was dead. Conroy has transformed himself from the world that had so much hatred toward black people, what he once stood for was dead and he was transformed. However, the attitudes that contributed to the characteristics of the island seemed to linger in the form of the man named Ted Stone. Even though Conroy found enjoyment during his walks such attitudes of Stone had an uncomfortable and even painful sting to his heart. "And though I enjoyed these walks, several characteristics of the island made them uncomfortable and even painful."Ted Stone and Mrs. Stone seemed to have great power and controlled everything. Ted Stone had the attitude that "pure blacks" were "worthless." Conroy had grown toward being a better person and had made a connection with the children on the island. He was so connected that when he married he could not let go of the island. Conroy most likely found pain in the attitude toward the children. The perception that "one" white child deserved a much better education than "many" black children was an attitude that should have died like the flag and the old house. Conroy being put in this uncomfortable and painful situation will most likely have to reach further within himself to find some of his answers. Conroy will now be balancing his family needs while striving to fulfill the needs of others.